Looking back at 2014… with Corporate Hearts

Zack: Awesome and hectic. We put out an EP in January called Deathwishers and a full-length in December called The Shreds, both of which were a HUGE pain in the rectum to make but we’re really proud of. We signed to a label called Wreck-It Records, which has been very cool. We played with a bunch of killer bands, including Direct Hit!, Red City Radio, Lee Corey Oswald and the Ataris. We got to play live on the radio a few times. It was a great feeling to be active as a band and really feel like we were accomplishing something. We’re now world famous and filthy rich.

What was the best/most memorable show you played?

Zack: It wasn’t technically a full-blown show, but getting to play a few songs live on Radio 104.5, which is a big station here in Philadelphia, was a huge moment for us. It was extremely nerve-wracking but also a lot of fun and the high we felt after we pulled it off is something we’ll never forget.

Also, our record release show for The Shreds was one of the best shows we’ve ever played. We were exhausted and relieved because we had just completed basically two straight weeks of recording, mixing, mastering, etc. and the album was finally out. We show up to this house full of strangers in West Philly, completely unsure of what to expect, and everyone welcomed us with open arms. It reminded us that having fun is still the most important part of playing music.

What was the best show you went to?

Zack: I didn’t go to many shows where we weren’t also playing so I think the best set I saw all year was Direct Hit! when we opened for them at The Fire in Philly. They tore through a ton of songs and their energy was insane. I also sawBayside and Four Year Strong this year, both of whom blew me away. It’s always amazing to see bands that are that tight when they play live, especially when they’re playing a lot of technical stuff.

Craig: That Direct Hit! set was definitely one I will never forget, and seeing Red City Radio that same night was a very big deal for me. I got to see so many of my favorite bands this year: Banner Pilot, Real Friends, The Holy Mess a few times,Pentimento. I saw Modern Baseball at the Stone Pony in Asbury Park. I’ve never seen a crowd filled with so much overflowing joy and positive energy in my life. Those guys are awesome.

Two of my favorite sets of the year though happened on different nights at Golden Tea House in West Philly. The first was the surprise Menzingers show in April. It was every bit as insane as it sounds. The other was Beach Slang in June, which also happened to be my introduction to the band. That night I went home, bought their EP, and pretty much just let it play on a constant loop for the rest of the year. I blame that EP for the recent death of my iPod.

What are some of your favourite releases this year?

Zack: He Is Legend – Heavy FruitCannibal Corpse – A Skeletal DomainEvery Time I Die – From Parts UnknownRun The Jewels – Run The Jewels 2 PUP – PUPUnited Nations – The Next Four YearsSt. Vincent – St. VincentMastodon – OnceMore‘RoundtheSunCloudNothings – HereAndNowhereElse

Craig: Code Orange – I Am KingBeach Slang – Who Would Ever Want Anything So Broken?Banner Pilot – SouvenirBleachers – Strange DesireReal Friends – Maybe This Place Is The Same And We’re Just ChangingOld 97’s – Most Messed UpThe Holy Mess – Comfort In The Discord

What are you excited for in 2015?

Hopefully playing a ton of shows, writing more new Corporate Hearts stuff and also working on a bunch of side projects that will give us a chance to experiment with a lot of different types of music (nu metal, instrumental pan flute concertos, etc.). And, of course, the “Fifty Shades of Grey” movie.